Cucumber sandwiches and little cakes and...

TOURISM PITCH.

June 13, 1986

LONDON — TOURISM PITCH. Cucumber sandwiches and little cakes and tea in white cups with a flower border. Served by the prime minister of Britain. At No. 10 Downing St. Margaret Thatcher was hostess Thursday to 30 Americans who were among 5,791 winners of free flights to London that are a part of a campaign to lure tourists who have been frightened away because of terrorism. ''Mrs. Thatcher is a fantastic lady,'' said Bea Ford of Montgomery, Ill. The prime minister posed for photographs on the steps of the official residence, thanked the Americans and said, ''We hope a lot more of you will come over here. London is among the safest cities in the world, far safer than many places in the United States.''